Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 26 to 47 of 47

Thread: So just how fast is an E46 M3?

  1. #26
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,482
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by WytLytnyn View Post
    OP: Tell your buddy to go drive these cars and figure out which one makes him the happiest behind the wheel. Then tell him to go get some high performance driving instruction at a reputable school or club. This will make him faster (and hopefully smarter)behind the wheel of anything he drives going forward throughout his life.
    As a guy who modified his E36 M3 and drove it until the motor needed a rebuild (11 years), I got more enjoyment out of learning from pros how to drive faster than putting go fast parts in my car. If you ever go to the ///M school in SC, you'll see that there are pros that can go faster sideways in bigger, heavier, non-modified cars than some of the heavily modded guys here in the interweb.
    +1 If you know how to drive a car, it will be faster. Just like knowing how to pass, if you don't accelerate prior to starting to pass, you can get around faster.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  2. #27
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Frederick, MD
    Posts
    9,693
    My Cars
    e39 540i/6, e36 318i
    Quote Originally Posted by serpas89 View Post
    racing on 95 around the DC area
    202N to 495/95 towards College Park
    1985 325 - 5 speed - LSD - M50NV - MS2/extra - AEM UEGO - TiAL MV-R - 750cc injectors - HX35 - Blunttech Manifold - 3" exhaust
    1991 318i - 5 speed - M50NV - e36 rack - Smileys

  3. #28
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Murica!
    Posts
    69
    My Cars
    2001 530i, Sport
    So my friend ended up buying a 2002 CLK55 AMG. Man that thing is fast, probably faster than the M3.

  4. #29
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,482
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Good for him, sure would hate to see another M3 around a pole.

    Yes, the Merc has more HP's plus it is a V-8, but put that thing into a curve, and watch it's tail get loose.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  5. #30
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    242
    My Cars
    1999 M3,
    God this thread is so annoying. "My friend" "my friend" do you do his laundry too? Tell him to have fun in his auto tranny merc and next time have him do the inquiries and research.

  6. #31
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Glenville, NY
    Posts
    801
    My Cars
    2015 M3
    Yes this thread was extremely horrible. Auto merc, probably hurt himself in it. Have fun and I'm very glad he didn't end up in an M3. He should have just bought a Fox body mustang with a 13k crate motor and been done with it.

  7. #32
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    SL,UT
    Posts
    1,219
    My Cars
    E39, E46, E60, H1
    Quote Originally Posted by Metal Made Fox View Post
    You're right, one of the newer Toyotas probably won't keep up with an M3, however here is a video of a Camry beating a 2008 535i. I was a bit disappointed. (Skip to the 1:20 mark for the beginning of the race.)

    So, how well can the E46 M3 keep up with say the V8 Mustang GT's? Or the newer V8 Camaros, or Dodge Challengers? Most of the opponents on the road my friend encounters are all driving powerful (but heavier) V8's.

    camyrtryingtokeepupwith535.avi



    A couple things with that video. If the Camry driver was somehow able to beat the 535, it would clearly be a difference in driving capabilities. Taking account only the capability of each car, the 535i is faster and much more capable than a Camry.

    Just the 0-60 times should tell you enough about the speed:

    The Camry times go from 6.2 seconds to 6.5 seconds.
    (here is one for 6.2 seconds, Toyota claimed 6.5 seconds)
    http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2011-To...verview-c22074

    The 535i does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.
    http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test
    ...there are a lot of drivers out there saying they could do it in 5.1 seconds. That's nearly a full second and a half faster than what Toyota claims and a full second faster than what it has been tested at.

    Then, throwing a Cobb access port on the 535, you can get 400hp/420tq, even more with the JB4. I know once you get into modifying cars, it's apples and oranges, but I don't think you can get the Camry 0-60 into the mid 4's for $500 or $1,000.

    So no offense, but calling that a garbage where they are weaving through traffic a 'race' is just poor judgement. I just find it astonishing that someone would even think to say that a V6 Camry would beat a twin-turbo inline-6 BMW. One of them peaks at 269hp/248tq and the other 300hp/300tq. Lets try to keep things at least somewhat realistic around here.


    Metal Made Fox, if your friend is dead set on getting a BMW and he plans on modding it, have him look at a 335. They are almost as fast as an E46 M3 in stock form and for around $3,000 he could be getting 500hp.

  8. #33
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Shawnee,KS (KC area)
    Posts
    1,131
    My Cars
    02 M3, 95 Supra
    in response to the torque, the 3.2-liter makes gobs of torque for the engine size (250 lb ft a the wheels is only a handful away from the peak torque of the 4.0L V8 M3!), and nothing with that displacement touches it in torque. then on top of that, it revs freely. For a 3.2-liter it's great and one of only a few cars 6cyl-or bigger that can net 100whp/liter (320whp) on the dyno (only GT3RS, 458 Italia and F430 Scuderia do this stock), normally aspirated, with a few basic mods.
    However, as impressive as it is, it still is a 3.2-liter. He'll keep up with some 5-liter V8s on the highway, but he'll be limited. How about a 135/335 with intercooler, software, intake, full exhaust and methanol injection? 380-400whp and done. A nice sleeper.

    If he's got the coin, a supercharged E90 M3 DCT is flat-out awesome (530whp and-up).

    Lastly, here's a vid of modified E46 M3 speedometer (still has stock airbox and cams), so you can see these cars can move:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPlWRLgbzD8
    Last edited by Vader M3; 03-07-2014 at 11:30 AM.
    1995 Supra turbo, 6sp, 830whp info
    Sold:
    2003 M-B S600 V12 TT Renntech, 527whp info
    2002 BMW M3, 6sp, 325whp info
    1997 BMW M3, 260whp, info
    1995 BMW M3 turbo, 550whp, info
    1997 BMW M3
    1996 BMW M3, stock
    1986 Porsche 951, 338whp
    1986 Alfa Romeo GTV-6
    1983 Alfa Romeo GTV-6
    1975 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT

  9. #34
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    505
    My Cars
    Euro Group N M3, 2004 M3
    90% of M3 owners are not M3 DRIVERS..... In the right hands its faster than just about anything out there... In the wrong hands its a weapon. I would classify your friend in catagory 2

  10. #35
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,482
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by ALong View Post
    90% of M3 owners are not M3 DRIVERS..... In the right hands its faster than just about anything out there... In the wrong hands its a weapon. I would classify your friend in catagory 2
    Very true, the best way to make a car faster, is to train the driver how to drive.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  11. #36
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    242
    My Cars
    1999 M3,
    Your friend should have purchased a c5 vette that way when your friend comes to scoop you up there will be two d-bags on the road *** only because metal fox previously private messaged me "tough guy" words.

  12. #37
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Atlanta Area
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    2005 M3 SMG
    Your friend is an A$$, so he should find another brand of vehicle to kill himself in and spare us the embarrassment, hopefully he won't collect any other casualties other than his own. Also it would be ironic if the recommendations voiced here were used against him in a court of law for his recklessness. HaHaHa!
    New Ride:
    2005 E46 M3 with SMG 70K Mi. Just waiting for the next thing to break.
    Slowly modifying and getting it back to full glory.

    This was passed down to my son on College Graduation
    328is Sport Package M3-Spoiler and M3 Front End
    ASA AR1 Wheels 17x8 Yokohama AVS ES 100
    Turner Motorsports 4 Wheel drilled Rotors.
    Axxis Brake Pads, Teflon/Stainless Brake Hoses.
    UUC Stage 4 Suspension.
    Sway Bavarian Sway Bars.
    H&H MotorSports Front and Rear Strut braces.
    Conforti CAI and Shark Injector.
    UUC System U DTM Exhaust
    UUC Evo3 Short shifter and carrier bushings.
    Red Tranny Mounts and Clutch Stop.
    Factory BMW M3 Front Bumper with Splitter.
    More to follow...MUCH MORE !

  13. #38
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Trois-Rivieres
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    Bmw m3 e46
    I believe that a Bmw M3 E46 is not considered a fast car on the road today.

    A lot of cars produce similar amount or more power than Bmw M3 E46 today. Especially with all the new turbo cars on the market that produces a lot more with smaller engines.

    But a bmw M3 E46 is one of the best car to track with, because it is a momentum car!
    A car that can keep its speed in the corners and start building speed from its high speed after the corner.

    A well adjusted M3 with about 10-15k $ modification can easily go faster than pretty much any cars stock on the track.

    On the track to go faster than an old modify m3 you need to be well equipped if stocked
    Only few car such as the fast porsches,
    the new high performance camaro
    And some exotic car can go faster than a modify m3 on track and they all have a lot more power, which is why I believe that the e46 M3 is such a good car

    Take good notes that a bmw m3 e46 manual can not be driven by anyone at high speed, a hill and toe is necessary to get the best of this car and most people wonÂ’t be able to push themself to the limit of the car.

  14. #39
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2004 M3 Convertible SMG
    Son, why in the hell are you resurrecting a thread that was posted in 2013 and hasn't had a comment since early 2014?

    Quote Originally Posted by Marty1986m3 View Post
    I believe that a Bmw M3 E46 is not considered a fast car on the road today.

    A lot of cars produce similar amount or more power than Bmw M3 E46 today. Especially with all the new turbo cars on the market that produces a lot more with smaller engines.

    But a bmw M3 E46 is one of the best car to track with, because it is a momentum car!
    A car that can keep its speed in the corners and start building speed from its high speed after the corner.

    A well adjusted M3 with about 10-15k $ modification can easily go faster than pretty much any cars stock on the track.

    On the track to go faster than an old modify m3 you need to be well equipped if stocked
    Only few car such as the fast porsches,
    the new high performance camaro
    And some exotic car can go faster than a modify m3 on track and they all have a lot more power, which is why I believe that the e46 M3 is such a good car

    Take good notes that a bmw m3 e46 manual can not be driven by anyone at high speed, a hill and toe is necessary to get the best of this car and most people wonÂ’t be able to push themself to the limit of the car.

  15. #40
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    865
    My Cars
    2006 Estoril Blue/Cin M3
    Quote Originally Posted by oneswellfoop View Post
    Son, why in the hell are you resurrecting a thread that was posted in 2013 and hasn't had a comment since early 2014?

    Among other reason - it seems to convince us that the E46 M3 is a "momentum car". Which is laughable.

    A Miata is a momentum car.

  16. #41
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Annapolis md
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2004 bmw m3
    Anyone interested in buying my 2004 e46 m3 ? It’s pretty kick ass and has a bunch of upgrades


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  17. #42
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,482
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Ah, first time posters!

    Of course the E-46 M3 is a slow car by todays standards, it was designed in the 90's, built in the 2000's.

    It's value is starting to raise as the boy racers are buying them up, so I will keep mine as they crash theirs.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  18. #43
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    10 toes 2 Feet
    Quote Originally Posted by dworthy View Post
    It's value is starting to raise as the boy racers are buying them up, so I will keep mine as they crash theirs.
    Boy racer here, when can I get my M3?

  19. #44
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,482
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Yesterday was a good day chap.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  20. #45
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Southeast
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    f10m5 - lx470 -*e46m3*
    this whole thread was funny to read. wish i could see the D.A. OP's vid..
    but im appalled that none of you steered him towards an m5. but him in a benz works lol

    and also funny is the "boy racer" remarks.

    i have a fully modified m5, minus spraying meth, and i smoke everything.
    but im getting a clean hi miles bone stock (looks to be well maintained) e46 just bc it is THE quintessential m-car and i want to drive nothing but an m-car unless im needing a truck.
    and the m5 is a garage queen bc i like it showroom clean at all times

  21. #46
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,482
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Sarcasm tends to go over most peoples head, so that's why I hang around here.

    Everybody will have their own point of view on this subject, and just like a motor oil thread, it is very subjective to the individual.

    Most people buy a "M" car for the prestige, and most people in my car club I don't really talk to because they are "That Guy". There is about 10% that are mechanics, DIYer, racers, ect and those are the ones I tend to hang out with, for the buy the cars for their own passion for them.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  22. #47
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Silver Spring, MD
    Posts
    130
    My Cars
    03M3 17M540 18A5SB

    Amen. If I want to mess around I use my 2019 M5.

    Quote Originally Posted by GeorgeF31 View Post
    An M3 -- especially stock -- can't keep up with those cars in a stoplight drag race. If that's the kind of car your friend wants, he'll be sorely disappointed. It's a dancer not a drag racer.

    The car doesn't have much torque unless you supercharge it. Anyone with a 90s V8 and a few thousand -- if that -- can smoke an E46 M3 in a drag race. The M3 was never a fast car in those circumstances even when new. It's a track car and it likes to be at 3-4k rpm and higher. Take those high weight V8s and put them on a track or twist road and the situation changes. Some of those cars can run faster or equal, but none will do it as easily and certainly not in amateur hands.
    Any of the BMW turbocharged sixes are faster. The M3 is indeed a dancer and enjoyable for what it is.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •